2016 PHCA Quality Award Winners

Best Practice in Establishing a Quality Culture Award

Altoona Center for Nursing Care, Grane Healthcare

In 2015, the facility identified the need to improve their ranking with the Centers for Medicare and Medicare (CMS) Five Star Quality Measures. A systematic process was implemented to review data on a monthly basis and to utilize a team-focused approach to improve upon areas identified after a thorough analysis. Despite Five Star Rating Changes by CMS, Altoona Center for Nursing Care earned a five star rating in quality measures.

Best Practice in Quality Culture – Integrating Technology

Bradford Manor, HCF Management, Inc.

A rural nursing center, Bradford Manor identified the need to decrease both in-house and community acquired pressure ulcers. Utilized root cause analysis, the facility identified a gap in primary care physician expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of wounds. After exploring several options, Bradford Manor partnered with Vohora Physician Services to provide telemedicine visits — resulting in a steady reduction in the percentage of residents being treated for short term and long term wounds.

Best Practice in Decreasing a PHCA Quality Measure Award

Hanover Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmac Corporation

Hanover Hall identified the need to reduce their re-hospitalization rates for long-stay and short-stay residents after benchmarking their data to national rates. By implementing a three-pronged approach which included a change to operational process for early assessment and intervention, advanced care planning to reflect person-centered care preferences and creating a new Nurse Navigator role, the nursing center has successfully decreased both re-hospitalization and emergency room visits for residents.

Best Practice in Quality Assisted Living and Personal Care Award

Vernon of South Park, Five Star Senior Living

An in-depth root cause analysis on re-hospitalizations revealed that changes in resident conditions were not being detected early so that an intervention could be implemented at the community when possible. To address this challenge, Mt. Vernon introduced a new “Stop and Watch” tool to help staff more effectively monitor the health care needs of residents. Since usage of the tool was implemented, re-hospitalization rates have decreased more than 10 percent since 2014-2015.

.